True Wonders

Independent Tour, 2010

16 Days/15 Nights

At Ciao Tours, we pride ourselves on our exceptional Italian staff and this tour highlights several who are such wonderful assets to our company. Our local guides in Rome, are passionate about the city they love so dearly and will help you discover the treasures of Rome that many travelers miss. Our Professional Guides will introduce you to the fine restaurants where locals eat, the fabulous churches where they worship, and the art, culture and architecture they appreciate. Every second of your journey through Rome will contain moments to remember.
Niccolo, in Florence, has a flare for the Renaissance and a great sense of humor that endears him to all our clients. He introduces them to a Florence that only a local can share. Even if you have visited Michelangelo’s city many times, this will seem like the first!

San Gimignano, the town of the medieval towers, is home to our charming Italian Mamma, a master at preparing exceptional Italian dishes. In her home, in the heart of San Gimignano, she passes on the secrets learned from her mother who learned them from her own mother and so it has been through the ages. This warm submersion into Italian cooking will be a lasting memory. Our Italian Mamma’s husband grows the grapes, makes the wine and then for Ciao pours it as the perfect accompaniment to her recipes.

The history of Tuscany is mesmerizing and as you visit Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano, Lucca, Siena, Pisa and many more unique places included in this tour, along with an understanding of how the ancient civilizations and cultures of the Etruscans, Greeks and Romans influenced this fascinating region.

Liguria and its awe inspiring Cinque Terre is a delight for both mountain and sea lovers. Whether you are hiking the famous trails or taking a train from village to village, the days will be enhanced by warm sea breezes, beautiful foliage, azure water, craggy cliffs, picnics that have you gazing at villages in the distance or eating focaccia in a quaint little local bar.

Accommodations

• 3 Nights Lodging in Central Rome
• 2 Nights Lodging in Central Florence
• 4 Nights Lodging – Agritourism near San Gimignano
• 2 Nights Lodging in Central Lucca
• 3 Nights Lodging in Monterosso al Mare
• 1 Night Lodging in Central Milan
• Daily Breakfast Included at all Accommodations

Inclusions

• 15 Nights Accommodation in Unique Hotels
• 7 Day Car Rental with Standard Transmission
• 1st Class Italian Train Pass to Florence & Milan
• Private Guided Tours in Rome, Florence & Siena
• Private Tour of the Vatican, entrance included
• Wine Tasting at the Verrazzano Castle
• Reservation at the Uffizi Museum
• Authentic Italian Cooking Lesson
• Italian Markets
• Wine & Olive Oil Tasting
• Self Guided Tours
• General driving Instructions Including Maps
• Includes All Taxes
• Assistance from Ciao’s Italian Representatives

2010 Price

2,999 € - 3 Star Accommodation includes Economy Car with Standard Transmission
3,919 € - 4 Star Accommodation includes Intermediate Car with Standard Transmission

Above Prices are per person and are based on double occupancy. To check exchange rates click here

Please note: Ciao Tours will Guarantee the Exchange Rate at the Time of Full Payment or 45 days Prior to Departure
Alternate Choices are permitted on an Independent Tour at a Cost of $50Cdn Per Person Per Change.

For a Customized Tour Option based on your needs and requests, please contact us with your ideas.

Daily Itinerary

day 1/night1

LOCATION Rome (Roma), Italy
TRAVEL Arrive at "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport– Rome (FCO)
Private Transfer to Central Rome Hotel
ACTIVITIES Explore Rome at Leisure

day 2/night 2

LOCATION Rome, Italy
TRAVEL On foot/public transportation/taxi on own
ACTIVITIES 4 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Rome

HIGHLIGHTS
Coliseum and Forum, Piazza Navona, Fontana di Trevi, Spanish Steps, Pantheon
See the Tiber river and Castel Sant’Angelo
Suggested visit to Villa Borghese Museum and Park

day 3/night 3

LOCATION Rome, Italy TRAVEL Private Transfer to the Vatican

ACTIVITIES 3 Hour Private Tour of the Vatican – Entrance Included

HIGHLIGHTS
St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel
Large collection of art and treasures collected through it's 2,000 years of history
Large collection of paintings by the best of the Italian masters from the Renaissance

day 4/night 4

LOCATION Florence (Firenze), Italy
TRAVEL 1st Class Train Tickets and Private Transfer to Florence Hotel
ACTIVITIES Explore Florence at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
San Lorenzo market, in piazza San Lorenzo
Duomo or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and The Cupola (dome) of the Basilica (cathedral), by Brunelleschi
Palazzo Vecchio (Town Hall) and Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) and the Arno River
Galleria dell’Accademia (featuring the infamous Statue of David)
San Lorenzo Market
Birthplace of the Renaissance or Rinascimento
Red roofed Buildings and marble facades

day 5/night 5

LOCATION Florence, Italy TRAVEL On foot
ACTIVITIES 3 Hour Private Guided Walking Tour of Florence
Afternoon Reservations at the Uffizi Museum

HIGHLIGHTS
The Uffizi houses one of the most important and oldest (16th c) art collections in the world, featuring the greatest masterpieces of Italian art and a good collection of paintings by those of foreign schools’ The 16thc Palace by Vasari, and also exhibits ancient Roman and 16thc sculptures.

day 6/night 6

LOCATION Chianti Wine Region, Italy
TRAVEL 7 Day Car Rental Economy with Standard Transmission
ACTIVITIES Tour of Verrazzano Castle with Wine Tasting & Light Lunch
Tour Italy's famous Chianti Wine Region at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Quaint Towns featuring rolling countryside dotted with vineyards and olive groves
Chianti Classico Region
Historical Italian Castles, Renaissance Villas, Romanesque Churches
Enjoy the small towns of Greve, Panzano, Castellina and Radda

day 7/night 7

LOCATION Volterra & San Gimignano, Italy
TRAVEL By Car and on foot
ACTIVITIES 5 Hour Authentic Italian Cooking Lesson in a Private Home in San Gimignano
Includes Wine Tasting

HIGHLIGHTS
Volterra - Palazzo dei Priori, Town Hall, Piazza San Giovanni
San Gimignano - Palazzo del Popolo, Torre Grossa, Piazza del Duomo with the Romanesque Collegiata,
Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta

day 8/night 8

LOCATION Siena, Italy
TRAVEL By Car and on foot
ACTIVITIES Wine/Olive Oil Tasting and Lunch with a Ciao Tours Representative
3 Hour Private Tour of Siena

HIGHLIGHTS
Home of the Palio famous Horse Race
Piazza del Campo, Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica
Museum of Santa Maria della Scala
Palazzo Comunale

day 9/night 9

LOCATION Tuscany, Italy
TRAVEL By Car and on foot
ACTIVITIES Tour Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Pienza and Montepulciano at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Pienza: (Corso Rossellino, Pecorino - sheep cheese, Ancient home of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, Pope Pius II,)
Montepulciano: (Piazza Grande, Renaissance Duomo ,Vino Nobile D.O.C.G. Wine with Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes, 14th c Palazzo Comunale in Florentine style)

day 10/night 10

LOCATION Lucca, Italy
TRAVEL By Car
ACTIVITIES Explore Historical Centre at Leisure and the surrounding walls on foot or rent a bike

HIGHLIGHTS
The 4-km walled fortification built in the 16th c for military purposes were later transformed into what is now a public promenade that encircles the Old Town and offer wonderful views especially on the north and west sides
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi, the National Gallery

day 11/night 11

LOCATION Outside Lucca, Italy
TRAVEL By Car and on foot
ACTIVITIES Tour the Barga and Garfagnana Mountain Region at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Ponte del Diavolo, the Devil’s Bridge on the Serchio River.
Porta Mancianella and Porta Macchiaia two ancient gateways into town
Magnificent Romanesque Duomo
Hike up to the Fortezza delle Verrucole and see the stunning views

day 12/night 12

LOCATIONPisa, Italy
TRAVEL Return Car Rental, 1st Class Train Tickets to Monterosso
ACTIVITIES Explore Pisa at Leisure
Explore Monterosso at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Leaning Tower of Pisa- La Torre Pendente and the Battistero
Campo dei Miracoli- Square of Miracles
Church of Santa Maria della Spina
Piazza Cavalieri and Palazzo dei Cavalieri
Palazzo dell’Orologio

day 13 & 14/night 13 & 14

LOCATION Cinque Terre, Italy
TRAVEL By regional train, on foot
ACTIVITIES Hike the local paths connecting the five towns<br /> Explore each town at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggore
Breathtaking vistas of the sea
Cliffside walking trails connected by ancient stairs surrounded by olive groves, grapes and flowers connecting the five lands
Via dell’Amore – Walk of Love

day 15/night 15

LOCATION Milan, Italy
TRAVEL 1st Class Train Tickets to Milan
ACTIVITIES Explore Milan at Leisure

HIGHLIGHTS
See the famous Duomo (Catherdral) that dominates the main piazza,
La Galleria and shopping District
Sforzesco Castle and park
View from the top of the Duomo
La Scala Opera House
Il Cenacolo- The infamous painting The Last Supper

day 16

LOCATION Milan, Italy
TRAVEL Shuttle bus to Milan Malpensa Airport on own

Conclusion of Tour